Best Historical Movie

[mercian billman]

With all this talk of historical movies lacking historical facts I thought, I think we should share good historical movies. The only movies that come to mind are "Full Metal Jacket" and "Tora Tora Tora."

[Leet Eriksson]

I've seen a really good historical movie about the crusades(Called simply Salah Al Din),of course its about saladin,since its long it shows saladins achievments during his service under Shirkoh until the third crusade,its not one-sided either,becuase it shows that not all crusaders are terrible or any of that sort.It also depicts richard as a noble knight...more on that later.

Whats really cool in the movie is everything is historically accurate,the crusaders had the double chainmail,norman water drop sheilds(in third crusade they come with Kite sheilds)and norman style swords,the heraldics was also accurate,it included the british,french and papal flags.

Units,if you put it in Medieval TW terms where also accurate,there were Order Foot Soldiers(full with kite sheilds in the third crusade),Turkopoles,Templars and Men at Arms.Saladins side had something that resembles ghazis,except they were amphibious,he also had kurds,arabs and turks as Jund(levied foot soldiers),Askar(trained and organised) and also elites like Mamelukes(Bahri armenian slaves,and Burji Turkish),Kinana Faris(Jordanian Arab),and Shayzar Faris(Syrian Arab),also his own Kurdish bodyguard(can't recall the name).

But overall,the movie is pretty well done.

[Cebei]

Waterloo (Rod Steiger as Napoleon) was a very good film and battle depictions are very impressive when you consider the year it was shot.

"Patton" was another very good WW2 film that I can now think of.

[TheSilverKnight]

"Patton", "The Patriot", and "Restoration" are all very good movies depicting the time periods they are in pretty well.

[Axeknight]

Quote[/b] (Cebei @ April 24 2004,19:04)]Waterloo (Rod Steiger as Napoleon) was a very good film and battle depictions are very impressive when you consider the year it was shot.
Love that film. V. historically accurate, but also a great movie. Rod Steiger is fantastic as Napoleon, playing him as a man who had become too old to maintain his stunning energy and decision making skills, which he was by that time. Christopher Plummer plays Wellington well (he calls the Redcoats 'the scum of the earth', yet still expects them to die for him), showing his arrogance as well as his tactical genius. Great movie.

Also love Zulu. The bit near the end where the Zulus are singing their war chants and the Brits start singing 'Men of Harlech' is pure cinematic gold.

Men of Harlech, stop your greiving,
Don't you see their spear-points gleaming?
See the warriors' pennants streaming,
To this battlefield

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

Michael collins i love. The scene of the bombardment of the GPO is very accurate but apart from a few mistakes, liam neeson as Collins is an excellent choice

[VikingHorde]

"Enemy at the gates" (good WW2 movie)
"Band of brothers" (series but very good)
Can't remember any more right now..

[Mouzafphaerre]

-
Faisal,

Was that an Arabic production? Do you know the whereabouts, or better have a CD yourself? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-blush.gif
_

[Leet Eriksson]

its pretty old,can't remember when its made,no CD yet,i have a VHS tape of it,though i don't think they sell them anywhere here anymore,it was an egyptian proudction,i think by Moustapha al Akkad who made The Message.

[Kaiser of Arabia]

Passion of the Christ.
BTW this IS my last post here,
the one before was gonna be it, but I had to post this.
-Capo

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Waterloo is my favorite. I like battle of Britain for an older one. So many real aircraft. And Full Metal Jacket showed boot camp almost as bad as it really was, gave me flashbacks. Erme is great. If you want to see a realistic Nam movie see the Boys in Company C also with Erme. Its great.

[Auxilia]

Waterloo was indeed very good for the time it was made.

I also liked Sam Peckinpah's 'Cross of Iron' - nice to see a war film where the Germans are the principle characters. Aces High (Malcolm McDowell) was on the other day and I'd forgotten how good that was. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif

[Axeknight]

Quote[/b] (Gawain of Orkeny @ April 25 2004,05:54)]And Full Metal Jacket showed boot camp almost as bad as it really was, gave me flashbacks.
*puts on cowboy hat* WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR MALFUNCTION PRIVATE GAWAIN?

I liked the first part of Full Metal Jacket (boot camp), but once they got to Vietnam it stopped being so original (just retraced the steps of Platoon and Apocalyse Now).

[Tricky Lady]

I liked "The Madness of King George" a lot, and a French costume drama called "Ridicule" (the movie was set in Louis XIV's Versailles Palace, very nice. The royalty was realistically portraited as people who didn't take a bath but preferred to perfume themselves to cover up their disgusting smell).
Also very nice: "Tous les matins du monde" about a French composer who lived in the 1600's

[The Wizard]

Monty Python and the Holy Grail http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-jester.gif



~Wiz

[Basileus]

DasBoot i persume, im no u-boat expert though

[Red Peasant]

Lots of good ones mentioned. One of my faves has to be 'Lawrence of Arabia'.

[Pindar]

Waterloo

Das Boot

[Mouzafphaerre]

-
Gallipoli?
Stalingrad?
_

[Leo]

Quote[/b] (VikingHorde @ April 24 2004,21:50)]"Enemy at the gates" (good WW2 movie)
Sorry, but enemy at the gates is crap.
More realistic is "Stalingrad" from Joseph Vilsmaier.

I also throw in Dien Bien Phu by Pierre Schoendoerffer and the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan.

P.S.
Thanks for promoting me.

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] (Leo @ April 25 2004,17:02)]
Quote[/b] (VikingHorde @ April 24 2004,21:50)]"Enemy at the gates" (good WW2 movie)
Sorry, but enemy at the gates is crap.
I agree. Really crappy.



Quote[/b] ]More realistic is "Stalingrad" from Joseph Vilsmaier.

Haven't seen this one.



Quote[/b] ]I also throw in Dien Bien Phu by Pierre Schoendoerffer
Neither this one.



Quote[/b] ] and the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan.
True. The opening sequence carries the film. Subjective camera work relays a sense of realism unachieved in any other film I've seen...

[mercian billman]

Just thought I would add Blackhawk Down. Great film, the only thing I have against it is that Mogadishu happened 12 years ago. But still a great film which tells the story of the Rangers and Delta Force.

[meravelha]

I hate to say this but...

The Rohan charge in LOTR-3 was the *only* heavy cavalry charge I have seen performed properly in my life.

@faisal
I sure wish I could get a copy of 'Salah ad-Din'.
I suppose burning a DVD is out of the question...
:)

[Hakonarson]

The Light Horsemen

Patriot was about as historically accurate as Braveheart, The Life of Brian and Mad Max 3 ;)

[Pindar]

Quote[/b] ]The Rohan charge in LOTR-3 was the *only* heavy cavalry charge I have seen performed properly in my life.


The Rohirim were heavy cavalry?

[Hurin_Rules]

Well, chain, lances, shields... yeah, I'd say they were HC.

I thought it was fantastically done... although I'm not usre why you'd have your cavalry 20 deep... four to six ought to do it.

[Lazul]

Hahah, The Rohan? Man i got all weird when that happened, I was jumping up and down cheering my ass of... and then the guy next to me in the chinema looked at me with a funny face http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

I just love that scene... to bad the Haradrim Cavalry wasnt in the movie... for some stupid reason only the Mumakil was there?... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif

[Dead Moroz]

Quote[/b] (Aymar de Bois Mauri @ April 26 2004,02:41)]
Quote[/b] (Leo @ April 25 2004,17:02)]
Quote[/b] (VikingHorde @ April 24 2004,21:50)]"Enemy at the gates" (good WW2 movie)
Sorry, but enemy at the gates is crap.
I agree. Really crappy.
Disagreed. It's very funny film. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-clown.gif

[Crimson Castle]

Master and Commander - imho the best historical war film. Although the battle didn't take place historically - but Weir did the details of 18th century warship life very accurately...

Another film was The Crossing - about George Washington's victory over the Hessian mercenary forces.

http://www.top-selling-dvds.com/B00007GZYC

I gotta say the first battle scene or the first 15 minutes of Saving Private Ryan and Gladiator was awesome. The rest of the movies were not so good though. But I think they were several mistakes with the Roman vs Goth battle in Gladiator

[The Wizard]

The charge of the boys from Rohan was not realistic at all.

Suddenly it's feasable to charge into a forest of pikes? Sorry, but I must've missed a few things. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif



~Wiz

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] (Dead Moroz @ April 26 2004,03:29)]
Quote[/b] (Aymar de Bois Mauri @ April 26 2004,02:41)]
Quote[/b] (Leo @ April 25 2004,17:02)]
Quote[/b] (VikingHorde @ April 24 2004,21:50)]"Enemy at the gates" (good WW2 movie)
Sorry, but enemy at the gates is crap.
I agree. Really crappy.
Disagreed. It's very funny film. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-clown.gif
The topic is: Best Historical Movie

So, he is right.

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

Starlingrad is a magnificent film, a nice change to see the war from a German perspective.
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] (The Wizard @ April 26 2004,09:47)]The charge of the boys from Rohan was not realistic at all.

Suddenly it's feasable to charge into a forest of pikes? Sorry, but I must've missed a few things. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif



~Wiz
You're right. It was spectacular, but hardly realistic.

Remember that the Rohirrim used their shields strapped to the sides of the horses? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-stunned.gif

It was probably to protect their knees http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-laugh4.gif

Remember that, contrary to Tolkien's books, the horsemen weren't but a single mass of riders, insted of three units attacking the enemy army in three different points?

Spectacular in the film, but only a disorganized mass of horsemen.

Tolkien was inexperienced about tactics, but PJ is plain ignorant and dumb. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-dizzy2.gif

[Hurin_Rules]

I was also disappointed that the Haradrim cavalry weren't there. Actually, they were what I was most excited to see, and I would have loved to have seen the clash between Rohan and Harad on the battlefield.

[The Wizard]

I liked the Haradrim infantry though. You know, the ones marching into the huge gate in the second movie. Great http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-thumbsup.gif



~Wiz

[Hurin_Rules]

Yeah, I was hoping we'd see more of them. And I loved the part in the books when, at the last battle before Mordor, the orcs and trolls and nazgul just break apart once Sauron is overthrown... but the men of the East and South make their own last stand, because they are proud and bold and have freewill.

[Sulla]

Definetly Stalingrad, the German spoken movie. I felt it was the most accurate movie(as far I can judge) I ever saw.

Sulla

[meravelha]

Quote[/b] ]
You're right. It was spectacular, but hardly realistic.


Well ok. But it was the only one I've seen where the cavalry maintained any semblance of discipline and contacted the enemy as a solid body.

[Kaiser of Arabia]

I would like to add Goodfellas
a Historically Accurate mob movie
and I would like to add
Master and Commander,

and John Ashcroft v.s. John Kerry in boxing
that would be a great match.
With the nuses and the Gay Rights flags flying... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[Mouzafphaerre]

-
Stalingrad is a good movie. I missed half of it but the rest was enough for judgement.

The music is very good, too.
_

[Hetman]

Leo

Mercenary

"More realistic is "Stalingrad" from Joseph Vilsmaier."

Good example, but the prologue is not without serious mistakes - look at the map, Germany is actually about 300 km further in the east.



My favorites

"The Band of the brothers" TV series

Das Boot

The Pianist - the wartime Warsaw is just excellent, especially during both uprisings, just look at the german equipment - Pz III N or Pz IV short barreled not an overused Panther or Tiger.

Regards Cegorach http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] (meravelha @ April 26 2004,20:21)]
Quote[/b] ]
You're right. It was spectacular, but hardly realistic.


Well ok. But it was the only one I've seen where the cavalry maintained any semblance of discipline and contacted the enemy as a solid body.
Well, almost as a solid body. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-wink.gif

[biguth dickuth]

Quote[/b] ]Quote (The Wizard @ April 26 2004,09:47)
The charge of the boys from Rohan was not realistic at all.

Suddenly it's feasable to charge into a forest of pikes? Sorry, but I must've missed a few things.



~Wiz


I think that the one who mentioned the Rohirrim charge, meant the charge in the third movie. There are no uruk-hai with pikes, just plain orcs with short spears and they get totally overwhelmed by the charge, which is quite reasonable in this case.

So the certain charge is depicted in quite a historicaly accurate way (remember the English defeating the Scots at Dunbar with a single cavalry charge), although the hanging-from-the-horse shields were quite funny to watch for me too... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[jkaney55]

I certainly agree with:
Stalingrad
Blackhawk Down
first 15 min SPR
Tora Tora Tora
Band of Brothers

but I would like to add (tentatively):

Stalin (though not much of a war flick, portrayed him well).
Gettysburg (though, much could be said in defiance)
Glory (same as above, but still fairly accurate)
All was Quiet on the Western Front (yet again arguable)

I think the simple fact is that there has never been a supremely accurate movie in a historical sense. While at times it does in fact "raise my dandruff" I do have to sympathize with the fact that an entirely historically accurate movie would probably be fairly unentertaining, after all, wars are all about 90% sitting and waiting and 10% intense fright and excitement.

[Hakonarson]

Quote[/b] (The Wizard @ April 26 2004,09:47)]The charge of the boys from Rohan was not realistic at all.

Suddenly it's feasable to charge into a forest of pikes? Sorry, but I must've missed a few things. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif



~Wiz
What pike?? - all tht Orcs had were archers and short spears - and the progressive look of "We've got you guys stuffed" all the way through to "Oh shit" was classic :)

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] (Hakonarson @ April 28 2004,20:27)]
Quote[/b] (The Wizard @ April 26 2004,09:47)]The charge of the boys from Rohan was not realistic at all.

Suddenly it's feasable to charge into a forest of pikes? Sorry, but I must've missed a few things. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif



~Wiz
What pike?? - all tht Orcs had were archers and short spears - and the progressive look of "We've got you guys stuffed" all the way through to "Oh shit" was classic :)
I believe he was refering to the 2nd film charge in Helm's Deep.

[The Wizard]

Both, actually. I seem to remember the orcs turning around and brandishing pikes in the third movie...

Then again, the third movie was pretty boring. I mean, the fight around the big tower was cool, but the movie stopped being interesting right around the time the ghosts washed over the orcs and killed them all. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-zzz.gif



~Wiz

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] (The Wizard @ April 29 2004,05:57)]Both, actually. I seem to remember the orcs turning around and brandishing pikes in the third movie...

Then again, the third movie was pretty boring. I mean, the fight around the big tower was cool, but the movie stopped being interesting right around the time the ghosts washed over the orcs and killed them all. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-zzz.gif



~Wiz
Dumba** PJ http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif Why did he had to spoil the script of the original book?

[Crimson Castle]

Yeah I totally agree. I didn't like Return of the King as much as the first two movies. I didn't like the CGI effects and I felt the battle scenes could have been better.

My fav was Master and Commander. It should have won best film. But considering LOTR is a brilliant trilogy series. It deserved something. Maybe if Weir produces MnC 2 - it will win best film.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

El Cid

[Leet Eriksson]

i remember a very good historical television series(not a movie)about Hulegu(Hulako in arabic)of course its made by arabs,but the protagonists are the mongols and the antagonists are the arabs,it mainly talks about Hulegu's(done by proffesional actor Aimen Zedan,he actually looks pretty mongol than the rest of his army http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif)lifes and battles ending in capturing baghdad and putting an end to the miserable life of the caliph of baghdad(Al Musta'sim Billah,not to be confused with Al Mu'tasim Billah).It explores mongolian shamanism(remember they were'nt converted to buddism(lamaisim sect)yet),marriage,combat,tactics and etc.Its pretty well done except one scene,one of Hulegus generals(can't recall his name)lays some gratutious ass kicking on the arabs,while jumping from his mount and with a spear(something similiar to chinese martial arts).

[Mouzafphaerre]

-
I searched about the movie Salahaddin and have found out that it was made by not Mr. Akkad but Youssef Chahine, in 1963. That might be some other film though but I haven't seen any mention of "Salah ad-Din" in the Akkad filmographies anywhere.

Here is the link:

http://www.sfjff.org/sfjff16/d0722a.htm

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif
_

[Orda Khan]

The Fall of Otrar

.......Orda

[Leet Eriksson]

Quote[/b] (Mouzafphaerre @ May 02 2004,04:16)]-
I searched about the movie Salahaddin and have found out that it was made by not Mr. Akkad but Youssef Chahine, in 1963. That might be some other film though but I haven't seen any mention of "Salah ad-Din" in the Akkad filmographies anywhere.

Here is the link:

http://www.sfjff.org/sfjff16/d0722a.htm

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif
_
Nope thats not it,i can't remember the producer,i thought it was al akkad,but apparently not,since mine is recored,i checked the local outlets here but none provide the movie anymore,it was broadcasted on the local channel a few months ago,i'll try finding the producers name though....Youssef Chahines Al Nasir Salahdin is in Black and white,the one i saw is colored,but its still a bit old.

[oblivious maximus]

Stalingrad, Das Boot get my vote.

I was disappointed when i went to the movies to see `Enemy at the Gates'.Historicaly lacking and didnt show enough of the war yet it was entertaining. I hate it just on the mere fact that it instantly created a whole army of Vassili Zaitsevs in FPShooters.

[Crimson Castle]

Anyone else thought the last part of Enemy at the Gates was rather stupid? The way the German major walked to the enemy sniper position - out in the open ffs- to verify the kill?

[monkian]

Cross of Iron is very good.

Although not completely historically accurate the opening of Enemy at the Gates is rather spectacular with the Stukas strafing the boats

I wish someone would do a film featuring battles of the Peninsular War- that would be amazing on the big screen http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif

[Axeknight]

Second that, Monkian - Albuhera or Badajoz would make an incredible movie

[Lord Godfrey]

The Longest Day - D-Day from the American, British, French, and German perspectives

[Hurin_Rules]

I was totally turned off by that opening scene in Enemy at the Gates. Sure, it was visually stunning... but the impression it gave of Russian soldiers as essentially leaderless and bulletless herds of cattle shuffling about between German barrages was just too much to take. Where were the NCO's, the commisars and the senior officers in all of this? If the Russians didn't have leaders or even bullets, how in the world did they stop the Germans? And don't even get me started on them mowing down their own troops-- they couldn't find bullets for their own soldiers to use, but they could find bullets to kill their own soldiers with? pffft.

[monkian]

Quote[/b] (Axeknight @ May 05 2004,17:45)]Second that, Monkian - Albuhera or Badajoz would make an incredible movie
Or Assaye http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Kalle]

I think the series Shogun (and the book by James Clawell i think) was good.

Kalle

[Sulla]

Hurin Rules, in the early war (and also late) the russian politic showed an absolute lack of respect for human live. Indeed EATG missed NCO's in the opening scene, but the casualties suffered, according to eye witness reports etc are correct. remember 7.000.000 russian soldiers were killed from 1941 till 1945.

At stalingrad, rifle divisions of the sovjets (max 12.000 soldiers, often less) were reduced to bataljon strength, taking up to 90% casualties. The wounded I think you see in the movie (laying by the riverbank) are also historicly correct. The russians didnt evacuate all of the wounded. They didnt have capacity to do that. There were rows of wounded laying there, without proper medical attention. The Russians only held a small stroke of land at the desperate phase of the battle, sometimes only 100 metres. Still soldiers were defending it with arty support from the other bank. EATG isnt that unrealistic. It was a desperate fight.... It isnt that historical though...

Also the execution of retreating soldiers wasnt a exception. It happened often, especially on the eastern front.

[Hurin_Rules]

I don't at all dispute that the USSR suffered massive casualties on the STalingrad campaign. In fact, more Soviets died at Stalingrad than did Americans in the entire war. So your point is well taken.

I did object, specifically, to three points:

--In the reinforcement unit that we follow coming into Stalingrad, there are no NCO's or commissars or even senior officers. This is not accurate, as a newly-trained unit would have all of these things. Many of the troops already in the city would certainly have had their leaders killed, no doubt about it; but to show reinforcements as completely leaderless is just plain silly.

--I also disliked the portrayal of the Soviets machine gunning their own troops. You say this happened quite often, and I find that difficult to believe. I'm not saying it didn't, but can you direct me to any sources that show that this sort of thing occured?

--The fact that the Soviet soldiers were not even given bullets. The soviet factories could crank out small arms until the cows come home. They're going to send troops into Stalingrad without even giving them bullets? I find that exceptionally hard to believe.

In short, I didn't mean to say the whole movie was completely inaccurate. I think they did a fantastic job of recreating what Stalingrad looked like. But these three points really got to me.

[Maychargewithoutorders]

Longest day, virtually every well known actor from the time was in it (Robert Michum, Richard Burton, Henry Fonda even Sean Connery). Plus it certainly will make u want to whistle at the end

[Trax]

The Soviets usually used disciplinary battalions for suicide attacks and sometimes used machine guns to "encourage" them a little.

[Crimson Castle]

Quote[/b] (Hurin_Rules @ May 07 2004,06:55)]I don't at all dispute that the USSR suffered massive casualties on the STalingrad campaign. In fact, more Soviets died at Stalingrad than did Americans in the entire war. So your point is well taken.

I did object, specifically, to three points:

--In the reinforcement unit that we follow coming into Stalingrad, there are no NCO's or commissars or even senior officers. This is not accurate, as a newly-trained unit would have all of these things. Many of the troops already in the city would certainly have had their leaders killed, no doubt about it; but to show reinforcements as completely leaderless is just plain silly.

--I also disliked the portrayal of the Soviets machine gunning their own troops. You say this happened quite often, and I find that difficult to believe. I'm not saying it didn't, but can you direct me to any sources that show that this sort of thing occured?

--The fact that the Soviet soldiers were not even given bullets. The soviet factories could crank out small arms until the cows come home. They're going to send troops into Stalingrad without even giving them bullets? I find that exceptionally hard to believe.

In short, I didn't mean to say the whole movie was completely inaccurate. I think they did a fantastic job of recreating what Stalingrad looked like. But these three points really got to me.
Apparently the shooting of retreating soldiers did happen - particularly among the penal or punishment battalions. Antony Beever's "Stalingrad: The Fateful Siege" claims that some militia units that were hurriedly assembled from factory workers were told to pick up weapons from those killed. Some of the initial troops sent across the river were rushed into the fight as soon as they got off the ferry. They were raw recruits sent to buy time for better troops. But of course this was the exceptional rather than the rule. In 1942, the Soviet troops were generally armed a lot better than depicted in Enemy at the Gates.

However during the desperate days of 1941, esp during the Battle for Moscow, a lot of Soviet troops were also rushed into battle without rifles or adequate ammo. In the famous World at War documentary narrated by Lawrence Oliver - green Soviet recruits were given a gun and some ammo - they had little or no training and were told to fight in a particularly spot until they died.

[King Edward]

Henry V, once more into the breach dear frends

[Sir William Wallace]

i would have to say the gladiator, braveheart, and the patriot

[Trax]

Quote[/b] (Maximus Aurelius @ May 13 2004,17:59)]i would have to say the gladiator, braveheart, and the patriot
In terms of accuracy? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Mount Suribachi]

Quote[/b] (Lord Godfrey @ May 05 2004,17:54)]The Longest Day - D-Day from the American, British, French, and German perspectives
But even then, they can't help but tinker with the truth to make it more "exciting" eg Pegasus Bridge was taken with barely a shot being fired by the Germans, but they depicted it as this all out gun battle - but then also chose to include small details like the Surgeon knocked unconcious and thrown out the glider or the Royal Marines marching across the bridge in their green berets to the sound of the pipes.

Das Boot, A Bridge Too Far, Blackhawk Down all spring to mind. Perhaps the most accurate all round, though not a movie, would have to be Band of Brothers.

Axeknight With Hollywoods current fondness for big epic movies, I wouldn't be surprised to see a film about Austerlitz or Waterloo. Of course, it will have to star the likes of Leonardo di Caprio & Ben Stiller as Wellington and Napolean. They'll probly meet on the battlefield and have a horseback duel or somesuch http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

Probly over Josephine who Wellington has gotten pregnant earlier on the film http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] (Maximus Aurelius @ May 13 2004,09:59)]i would have to say the gladiator, braveheart, and the patriot
You got to be f***ing joking, right? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-stunned.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-surprised.gif

All of those are poor examples of Best Historical Movie. Gladiator beeing the least bad of the lot. But remember Marcus Aurelius saying: "Rome started as a Republic" ??? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-dizzy2.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-rolleyes.gif

F***ing unbelievable http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] (Mount Suribachi @ May 13 2004,13:30)]Axeknight With Hollywoods current fondness for big epic movies, I wouldn't be surprised to see a film about Austerlitz or Waterloo. Of course, it will have to star the likes of Leonardo di Caprio & Ben Stiller as Wellington and Napolean. They'll probly meet on the battlefield and have a horseback duel or somesuch http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

Probly over Josephine who Wellington has gotten pregnant earlier on the film http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif
OMG, NO Please NO http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-bigcry.gif

[Sjakihata]

Quote[/b] (Gawain of Orkeny @ May 02 2004,04:51)]El Cid
I actually watched that movie, and I believe it's quite historical, though Im not sure.

[JAG]

Waterloo, Rod Steiger is amazing, some of the best acting in a film ever in my opinion, the first scene is truly epic.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Yay me and Jag totally agree

[Leo]

Quote[/b] (Gawain of Orkeny @ May 14 2004,04:30)]Yay me and Jag totally agree
and hell freezes over

[Axeknight]

Quote[/b] (JAG @ May 14 2004,04:09)]Waterloo, Rod Steiger is amazing, some of the best acting in a film ever in my opinion, the first scene is truly epic.
Have to agree there Jag. He plays Boney not as some 2D tyrant, but as a real person, who knows he's getting too old to be the conquering hero, but also knows he can't trust his marshals not to mess things up (looking at no one in particular, Ney, Grouchy and Soult). And the first scene, where he's desperate to stay in France and not surrender, but to die a hero's death, against his better judgement, is awesome. When he goes out into the courtyard with the imperial guard, and he gives the leaving speech, then kisses the colours is arguably one of the best scenes in film.

[econ21]

Quote[/b] (Mount Suribachi @ May 13 2004,13:30)]Probly over Josephine who Wellington has gotten pregnant earlier on the film http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif
May be closer to the truth than you realise, Mount. Andrew Roberts comments in his book on Napoleon and Wellington that, after 1815, the latter took over the former's mistress. Can't quite recall, but I suspect he even says it was more than one. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif

I remember as a Napoleonics obsessed teenager having lots of quibbles with the Waterloo film in terms of its depiction of the battle, but now I admit it stands up pretty well to most "historical movies" that came after it. But it does have pretty good source material to draw from (returning Napoleon to the French King: "Please don't send any more soldiers to intercept me. I have quite enough.")

I recently saw the Longest Day again and that stood out as being pretty authentic. I liked the tone - pro-Allies, but not flinching from random horrors of war. By contrast, a Henry Fonda/Robert Shaw vehicle on the battle of the Bulge was spoiled by a cheesy A-team type ending.

[Axeknight]

Quote[/b] (Mount Suribachi @ May 13 2004,20:30)]Axeknight With Hollywoods current fondness for big epic movies, I wouldn't be surprised to see a film about Austerlitz or Waterloo. Of course, it will have to star the likes of Leonardo di Caprio & Ben Stiller as Wellington and Napolean. They'll probly meet on the battlefield and have a horseback duel or somesuch http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

Probly over Josephine who Wellington has gotten pregnant earlier on the film http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif
Of course, Welligton would have to be American. And Napoeon would be British... And monocled http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-dizzy2.gif

The evil British warlord Napoleon (Ian McKellen) has taken Joan of Arc hostage, and it's up to our all-American hero Arthur Wellesley (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to save her. With just his wits, and his rocket launcher, Wellesley has to stop the combined armies of Napoleon and Hitler, and rescue Joan of Arc and the president before it's too late

It'd make millions... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-confused.gif

[ROCKHAMMER]

"Hamburger Hill", "Heaven & Earth", & "Tobruk" are all very accurate war films. "Heaven & Earth" is especially good if you like Samurai films as it depicts one of the battles fought between Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen on the Kawanakajema Plain. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/bigthumb.gif Hope you guys like my picks. I am sure I will think of more and will post as they occur. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

I liked the battle of Britain, personally. It seemed to have more period aircraft in it than any other film of it's type.

I wasn't sure if enemy at the gates was supposed to be a comedy or not. Plus, they committed the cardinal sin in any film-they had a love interest Gah

I agree that a badajoz film would be awesome. I suppose you could just watch some sharp dramatisations, but it's not quite the same...

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] (Axeknight @ May 19 2004,11:16)]
Quote[/b] (Mount Suribachi @ May 13 2004,20:30)]Axeknight With Hollywoods current fondness for big epic movies, I wouldn't be surprised to see a film about Austerlitz or Waterloo. Of course, it will have to star the likes of Leonardo di Caprio & Ben Stiller as Wellington and Napolean. They'll probly meet on the battlefield and have a horseback duel or somesuch http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

Probly over Josephine who Wellington has gotten pregnant earlier on the film http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif
Of course, Welligton would have to be American. And Napoeon would be British... And monocled http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-dizzy2.gif

The evil British warlord Napoleon (Ian McKellen) has taken Joan of Arc hostage, and it's up to our all-American hero Arthur Wellesley (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to save her. With just his wits, and his rocket launcher, Wellesley has to stop the combined armies of Napoleon and Hitler, and rescue Joan of Arc and the president before it's too late

It'd make millions... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-confused.gif
ROTFL http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-laugh4.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-laugh4.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-laugh4.gif

What a dreadfull prospect http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-stunned.gif